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Commission updates riverfront trail restroom work, passenger depot green-space concept and riverbank stabilization plans
Summary
At the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, staff said construction on a riverfront restroom (Phase 1) is under way, portable restrooms have been expanded to four during work and Phase 2 engineering and bidding are planned to allow construction to start after Oct. 1.
The City of Washington Parks and Recreation Commission received updates on several ongoing and proposed park projects, including a riverfront restroom replacement, a trail connection, a passenger depot green space concept and bank stabilization work.
Wayne said Phase 1 of the Trail Connection at the Riverfront — the restroom project — has begun. After a site walkthrough, contractors determined part of the existing restrooms could not remain open during work; the city initially placed two portable restrooms at the riverfront and then increased that number to four after the porta‑potty company reported heavy weekend use. Wayne said the portable restrooms are expected to remain through the summer and “hopefully until August,” and that the construction company and engineers are working through a punch list.
Wayne said Cochran is handling engineering and bidding for Phase 2, which officials expect to begin in the new fiscal year. He said the goal is to complete procurement and bid work so a contractor can start after Oct. 1, with site work (trail connections near the Flag Plaza and pavilions) planned for October–December and finished before next spring; the Flag Plaza renovation is proposed to be done in conjunction with that work, supported by an anonymous donation.
On riverbank stabilization, Wayne relayed that Charles, the city engineer, briefed council on a plan to rock the most eroded areas if river levels fall low enough to provide safe access. "That 1 would be the first area that they would rock," Wayne said, describing a prioritized sequence of three or four areas to be addressed as conditions allow.
The passenger depot East Side concept showed options to reconfigure parking and add a small green space where an old telecommunications tower once stood. City engineering presented a layout that could increase slanted parking from seven to ten spaces if the sidewalk alignment were changed, but commission members said they preferred a green space with a retaining wall and fewer new parking spaces to preserve riverfront character. The concept includes a short retaining wall, new lighting in line with downtown street lights, and a possible photo‑op landmark (large letters or sign) to draw visitors.
Other items: Wayne said 16 cameras are planned around town this spring, including at the Cole Miller House and fairgrounds; the main-stage amphitheater ribbon cutting is planned for June 5 at 5 p.m. with a summer mixer to follow; a new playground at Optimus Park was discussed but members asked to delay a ribbon cutting to a later date to allow more site preparation.
No formal votes were taken on project approvals during the meeting. Engineering and staff will proceed with procurement and construction scheduling; several projects were described as contingent on river levels, budget availability and council approvals.
Next steps: staff will continue punch-list work with contractors on the restroom project, proceed with bidding for Phase 2 to start after Oct. 1, advance engineering for the passenger depot redesign and lighting, and monitor river levels to schedule bank stabilization work.
